Aftermarket ECU integration
Applies to: IOcan · Standalone controller. What this means
Putting a ZF 8HP, a BMW DKG or a Porsche PDK behind an aftermarket ECU? Start here. One page per supported ECU: which signals it provides, what it does not provide, how to set both sides up, and how to get a trustworthy engine torque value out of the combination.
These presets are part of the shared CAN layer, so they apply to both the IOcan gateway and the standalone transmission controllers.
Which of the two you need is settled by one question — see which device do I need?, or the IOcan CAN gateway product page.
Start here
Whatever ECU you are on, three things decide whether the integration works:
- The mandatory inputs must all be present. A missing mandatory input faults the controller and the transmission will not run. The set differs per controller — see the 8HP and PDK configuration pages.
- Torque has to come from somewhere. Few aftermarket ECUs broadcast a usable torque value, so the device usually calculates it. That calculation needs setting up and validating — Engine torque estimation.
- The brake signal is the one people forget. It is mandatory on both gateways and several ECU streams do not carry it.
Supported ECUs
Every preset, and — the part that decides your wiring — which mandatory gateway inputs it cannot supply. No supported ECU stream covers the full set, so every build sources at least one signal from outside its ECU preset.
| ECU | Torque broadcast | Injector PW | Mandatory signals it does not carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecumaster EMU Black / Classic | — | yes | Brake |
| Haltech (v2) | — | yes | Vehicle speed (PDK only) |
| MaxxECU | — | yes | Pedal, Oil temp, Brake |
| Fueltech FT450/550/600, FT500 | — | unavailable | Brake |
| AEM Infinity | yes | yes | Oil temp, Brake |
| Emtron | yes | — | Pedal, Oil temp, Coolant, Brake |
| GM LS E38 PCM | yes | — | Oil temp, Coolant, Brake |
| Ford Falcon | yes | — | Oil temp, Coolant, Brake |
| MoTeC — generic, M1 General, M1 ProDrag | yes | — | Oil temp, Coolant, Brake |
| Holley HP / Dominator / Sniper / Terminator | — | yes | Oil temp, Coolant, Brake |
| SCS Delta | — | yes | Oil temp, Coolant, Brake |
| Bosch MS6 | — | — | all — the preset is output-only |
Vehicle speed is mandatory on the PDK gateway only, so it is listed as missing above only where a preset lacks it and you are on PDK.
Brake status is the signal almost nobody carries. Only the Haltech v2 stream provides one, and it arrives as a pressure rather than a switch. Plan on sourcing brake from a device input.
Availability depends on firmware version and configuration. The full compatibility list, including dashboards, shifters and keypads, is on Supported Vehicles & Modules.
Where your ECU stands
Any ECU that transmits on CAN can be integrated. What differs is how much of the work is already done for you.
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Documented | There is a page with the frame layout, the setup steps and a verification checklist |
| Mapped by hand | Known to work, and the mapping is on its page — but there is no preset, so you build the CAN inputs yourself |
| Not tested | Nobody has reported one to us. It should still work via How to map an unsupported ECU — and if you get one running, tell us and it moves up this table |
Documented
AEM Infinity · Bosch MS6 · ECUMaster EMU Black · ECUMaster EMU Classic · Emtron · Ford Falcon · FuelTech FT450 / FT500 / FT550 / FT600 · GM LS E38 PCM · Haltech Elite / Nexus (v2 protocol) · Holley HP / Dominator / Sniper / Terminator X Max · MaxxECU · MoTeC M1 General / M1 ProDrag · SCS Delta
Mapped by hand
ECUMaster EMU PRO · Link G4+ / G4X / G5 · Syvecs S6+ / S7+ / S8
Not tested
Autronic · Emerald K6 · Haltech Rebel · Life Racing · MegaSquirt MS3 · Microtech · MoTeC M84 · MoTeC M800 · MS3 Pro · ProEFI · rusEFI · Speeduino · VEMS V3 · Wolf EMS
If yours is on that last list, start at How to map an unsupported ECU. The required signal set is short and most of these publish their CAN layout — the work is an evening, not a project.
If you get one running, send the mapping to sales@apex-control.com. We will write it up and credit you. That is how most of the list above got written.
My ECU isn't listed
Any ECU that transmits on CAN can be integrated by hand — a preset is a convenience, not a requirement. How to map an unsupported ECU covers which signals you actually need, how to find them in the stream using the device's own sniffer, and how to build the inputs.